Alexandra had the most horrible headache ever. She flashed her eyes open and rubbed her temple, swearing silently. The bright sunlight didn’t help either. She squinted and gritted her teeth. “Good afternoon, sleepy head.” She snapped her eyes open, wondering who was in the room with her. She licked her lips and turned to look behind her. Jayden was standing just at the end of the bed, hands in the pockets of his trousers. His white shirt was unbuttoned halfway, showing off his muscular chest. Oh my God! He was so handsome—just like a devilishly hot Calvin Klein model. She had no doubt he was wearing Calvin Klein anyway. Then she wondered why Jay asked her to be his fake girlfriend when he could have chosen someone prettier—someone like Mary St. Clair. But then again, Jay was gay. Because he wasn’t interested in women, he wouldn’t know which was hot, which was pretty, and which was plain like her. That explained why he wasn’t affected by Mary’s famous charm. God made him a perfect cr

Jayden never thought Beth would interrogate Alex as though she were a suspect in a murder case. Alex kept looking at him for guidance every time Beth fired a question at her. As if any of that were important, Jay thought gloomily. He rested his head against the back of the sofa and closed his eyes. He could feel a headache coming. “Heard your girlfriend has finally arrived,” a voice said at the door. Jay flashed his eyes open to see his dad, Tom McCartney, standing there with his hands in the pockets of his trousers. Tall, brown hair, and grey eyes—and right then dressed in a Zegna suit—he looked handsome and powerful. He must have just returned from the McCartney Hotel. “Hey, Dad,” he greeted. “Yeah, Alex is here.” Tom came to sit beside his son. “You don’t look too happy.” Jay thought his dad could say that again. “Beth.” “Ah, Beth,” Tom said as if that explained everything. “Has she mentioned Britney yet?” “Yeah. I hope she realizes it’s not going to happen.” “Don’t you mind

Jayden listened to Alex’s rhythmic breathing as she slept. Oddly enough, he found it comforting, and soon he, too, fell asleep. When he woke up the next morning, it was to the smell of strong, black coffee and freshly baked bread. Chef Leon must have just finished baking that wonderful French bread he so enjoyed. He breathed in deeply as though he were inhaling fresh air into his lungs, enjoying the delightful aroma. He stretched his body. Damn, his neck felt stiff. Apparently, the sofa didn’t make such a comfortable bed after all. He sat up and started to massage his aching muscles. He turned his neck left and right as he groaned. Then he turned his neck too far to the right and it cracked, making a loud noise. “Shit!” he muttered at the sharp pain erupting throughout his body. He stopped short when he saw Alex watching him, a pretty smile on her lips. “Good morning, Mr. McCartney. Good sleep last night?” she asked sarcastically. Jay saw the mischievousness in her glowing eyes an

Jayden came down to breakfast, still thinking about Kelly’s words. Surely she didn’t mean everything would fall apart. What about Alex when all this was over? He wondered what her reaction would be if he were to tell her he wasn’t gay. He had never thought about that. She’d probably slap him in the face and call him a liar. “You seem to be deep in thought, Jay,” Gracie called out. Jayden looked up to see his mother and Alex at the dining table. Alexandra was smiling at him. “Yeah,” he said, the dilemma wiped out of his mind. He came to sit opposite them and took a slice of toast. Then he poured himself a cup of black coffee. “Alex has been telling me how you two met,” Gracie said. Jay glanced at Alex. He saw her blushing. “Really? Do tell. I’m curious.” Gracie chuckled. “She spilled tea on your jacket.” Jay took a bit of his toast. After a bit of chewing, he said, “She did.” “Then you spilled beer on her.” Gracie continued. “How clumsy of you, Jayden.” He threw the half-eaten

By the time Alexandra came out of the changing room, she found Jayden had gone. When Kelly told her he was going to lunch with Britney and Beth after all and that they had no idea when he’d be back, her heart shattered. She realized he wasn’t going to take her to Central Park. She had been looking forward to it. She wanted to spend time with him doing silly, regular things a girl did with her boyfriend. Not that he was her real boyfriend, of course.Stephanie said as they were leaving Vera Wang, “We have loads of fun things to do.”“What kind of things?” Alex asked curiously.“Makeover and shopping!” Kelly shrieked excitedly.“It’ll be fun,” Stephanie put in, clasping Alex’s hands as they stepped toward the limousine.“Cool,” Alex said, pushing the disturbing thought of Jayden having lunch with Britney to one side. Perhaps the time spent window-shopping with the girls might be fun after all, an experience she knew she’d enjoy.“I like window-shopping,” she said.John stepped forward a